AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-2000
Qld: Tearful family plea for missing children to be returned
By Debra Nowland
BRISBANE, Aug 12 AAP - The family of three missing children, feared abducted by their
father, today made a tearful plea to have them returned home.
Mark McDonald, 37, along with his sons Brent, five, three-year-old Ryan and daughter
Jade, two, vanished after their dinghy was found washed up near Mackay in north Queensland
by fishermen on Thursday.
The children's mother, Debbie Wales, choked back tears as she sat beside her brother
and partner as a statement was read to the media.
Ms Wales was also joined by two of her sisters, her grandfather and other family members.
Queensland police spokesman Brian Swift said that Ms Wales' brother Jason had pleaded
with Mr McDonald to let them know that the children were okay.
"Mr Wales also appealed to the kids that if they were watching television that they
needed to know that mummy loves them and he loved them along with all the family and he
wanted them to come home," he said.
Mr Swift said that the family were also concerned for the safety of Mr McDonald and
asked for him to ring somebody to let them know how he was doing.
Mr McDonald, who had legal access to the children from Ms Wales, picked them up from
their home at Pindi Pindi, north of Mackay, on Wednesday to go camping.
The family's vehicle, camping equipment and personal belongings were found yesterday
along with a note which police believe may have been part of an elaborate ruse to divert
attention away from their whereabouts.
Today's search was abandoned due to rough seas while a shoreline search by volunteers
will be called off at dusk.
The search has involving up to 100 people including water police, SES crews and helicopters.
It is expected to resume tomorrow along a 40km stretch of sea and land south and north of Mackay.
AAP dn/mg/br
KEYWORD: CHILDREN NIGHTLEAD
2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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